After re-signing Sam Shields to a four-year, $39 million contract, the Green Bay Packers still have plenty of work to do to re-sign their free agents. The Packers have to make decisions quickly on Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Jermichael Finley and B.J. Raji. It was reported last week that the Packers offered Raji a one-year, $4 million deal. It was then reported that Raji was close to accepting the deal.

The Packers have around $35 million in cap space. That leaves Ted Thompson with a lot of money to spend on free agents. There are needs on both sides of the ball, and the Packers need to upgrade their offensive line. David Bakhtiari played well late in the season last year, but the Packers could very well look towards free agency to sign a blindside tackle for Aaron Rodgers. The Packers also have a glaring hole next to A.J. Hawk.

With all of the cap space the Packers have, it makes sense to use a lot of it to fill their needs.

The Packers have one of the best receivers in the league in Nelson. They also have a really good player opposite of him in Randall Cobb. It is important that the Packers get a contract in place with Nelson before Tuesday. Wide receivers are at a premium in the NFL. Many receiver-needy teams would overpay for Nelson’s services, but there is no reason why the Packers should not bring back Rodgers’ favorite receiver.

Nelson has solid hands and he is a contributor all across the field. Its rare you have a receiver who can get the same type of production between the 20s and in the redzone.

The good news for Packer fans is that contract talks between Nelson and Green Bay have started. Nelson is an underrated player who makes players around him better. Getting Nelson signed sooner than later will be crucial for the Packers’ price tag on him. If he hits the open market, his price tag will go up tremendously.

Nelson wants to play for the Packers, and he wants Rodgers to be his quarterback. It should only be a matter of time until a deal is reached.

Ryan Ratty is a columnist for RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @RyanRattyNFL or add him to your network on Google+.

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